CHICAGO -- The White Sox possess a young and talented starting rotation, full of candidates looking to develop in everything from mound effectiveness and mound presence to even increased innings totals.
Let’s look at the White Sox front five possibilities two weeks prior to SoxFest Live.
Near certainties
RHP Shane Smith, RHP, Davis Martin, LHP Anthony Kay
There has been a different Opening Day starter in each of the last four seasons for the White Sox, with righty Sean Burke in ’25 following in the footsteps of Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease and Garrett Crochet. Smith is the early favorite to raise that number to five in Milwaukee on March 26.
Smith was the team’s lone ’25 All-Star after being taken first overall from the Brewers during the ’24 Rule 5 Draft. The 25-year-old finished with a 3.81 ERA over 29 starts, leading the team with 146 1/3 innings pitched and 145 strikeouts, while carrying a perfect game into the sixth during the final game of the season vs. the Nationals. He’s ready for more in Year 2.
“All I want to do is throw a ton of strikes, make hitters make a decision and get swing and miss,” Smith said. “However I get there, whatever that turns out to be, that’s all gravy at the end.
“I’ve written out some goals for what I have for the year, and they are all in my control. If I can do those, I think good things can happen for this ballclub and we win some games.”
Adding Erick Fedde as a free agent returning from a stint playing in the KBO turned out to be a solid move prior to the ’24 season. The White Sox hope for the same success with Kay, a free-agent signee coming off a dominant year in Japan.
Martin is the galvanizing soul of this team overall. He’s also a solid rotation member, ranking second in innings pitched and third in strikeouts in ’25.
Strong chance
RHP Sean Burke
During a recent interview with MLB.com, Burke provided his usual in-depth answers to questions asked of the right-hander about himself and the team. But when the inquiry turned to preparing as a starter for the ’26 season, his reply was far more succinct.
“Yes, 100 percent,” said Burke of his targeted offseason work.
Burke already has connected frequently with new pitching coach Zach Bove, talking over where things stand for Spring Training and the ensuing build-up schedule. Some believe Burke, who reaches 100 mph with the fastball, also would work well in relief. But his belief remains strong in his starting stuff, knowing execution will be the key.
Do it all
LHP Sean Newcomb, LHP Chris Murphy, RHP Michael Davitt
Newcomb will be built up as a starter during Spring Training, per manager Will Venable. He’s closer to a near-certainty in this rotation breakdown but has shown downright dominance from the bullpen as recently as ’25 with the Athletics.
Murphy and Davitt also can pitch in a variety of roles. Davitt, who was added to the 40-man roster this offseason after being acquired last season in the Adrian Houser deal, will be fighting for a roster spot overall.
Interesting arms
RHP Jonathan Cannon, RHP Tanner McDougal
Cannon was the most accomplished starter behind Crochet in ’24, only to have an overall setback in ’25. He told MLB.com recently those struggles represented the most pivotal season in his career, forcing him to make some needed changes. Cannon has the same starting conviction held by Burke.
“I’m completely confident in my ability as a starter,” Cannon said. “I feel really confident in my abilities and especially with the plan we have in place being able to make some of those adjustments I need to make and hit the ground running come February.”
McDougal had a breakout Minor League season in 2025 and should figure into the White Sox big-league equation early in ’26.
The future it not now, but ... soon?
LHP Noah Schultz, LHP Hagen Smith, RHP Grant Taylor
Taylor is a staff certainty, starting ’26 in relief but taxed with multiple-inning work with an eye toward a potential future starting move. Schultz, the No. 2 White Sox prospect and No. 40 overall per MLB Pipeline, and Smith (No. 5 and No. 88) won’t break camp with the team but the plan is for them to be in play in ’26.
Returning in 2026
RHP Drew Thorpe, LHP Ky Bush, RHP Mason Adams
Bush (February), Thorpe (March) and Adams (April) underwent Tommy John surgery last year and hopefully will be back sometime next season. Thorpe, 25, made nine starts in ’24 before being shut down at the end of July.